Hair cutting apparatus



July 3, 1956 Filed May 3, 1955 H J. MULLEN HAIR CUTTING APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. H. JAMES MU LLEN AT T U RNEYI y 3, 1956 H J.MULLEN 2,75

HAIR CUTTING APPARATUS Filed May 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. H JAMES MU L LEN .18 BY 5% W ArT TO RNE Y.

rates ZJSZfiW? Patented July 3, 1956 This invention relates tohair-cutting apparatus, and more particularly to provision of mechanismfor automatically varying the length of the haircut.

In cutting hair it is the usual practice to use a clipper Where the hairis short and to use fixed spacers or tip the clipper to effect cuts atdifferent length. Such practice does not assure uniformity.

The present invention is directed to a clipper embodying cam wheels,which are adapted to roll on the back of the neck and head as theclipper is moved upwardly, the cam wheels providing a graduated cut ofincreasing hair length. The invention further employs suction to disposeof the cuttings, and to lift the hair normal to the head or neck, sothat the hair will be cut, while standing up thereby resulting in anaccurate graduated cut. The apparatus embodying the invention is soconstructed as to render it possible to effect a series of cuts up theback and sides of the neck and head, all of which cuts will produce thesame graduated length. The invention also is directed to providingreciprocating clipper movement from a rotary flexible drive cable.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear morefully hereinafter from the following detailed description, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understoodthat the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and arenot designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters dicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the clipper;

Figure 2 is an elevational view from the clipper blade side of theclipper;

Figure 3 is a side elevation;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view showing theattachment of the cam rings;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 ofFigure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view of the coordinating pinions, returnspring and brake, as viewed substantially from the line 77 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional stantially on the line 8-8 of Figure7;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the broken line 99of Figure 5 and view taken subsuch clipper comprises.

open cam rings 24 and 26, which cam rings may be formed of vulcanizedrubber. Each of the wheels is provided with a rim 28 having a flange 30to which the cam rings 24 and 26 are attached. As is shown in Figure 4,the ends of such rings are provided with keyslotshaped openings 32 and34 which are adapted to be hooked over headed posts 36 and 38, which arerigidly embedded in the rim 28. Such key slots permit the reby clampedupon the shaft 52 between the flanges 5d and 56.

and is soldered or otherwise secured flange 54.

The other end of the shaft 52 is port rod 84 which as at 82 in the endThe movetending inwardly facing pro ection 108 of the stationary cutterblade 98. The projection 108 and roove 1496 In order to actuate themovable cutter blade, power is derived from a flexible conduit 114 anddrive shaft 116 which enters the handle 78 at its lower end, the conduit114 being clamped within the handle in grooves 118 provided in thesections 86 and 88. The end of the flexible shaft 116 is connected toone end of a shaft 120 having a bearing 122 in the handle 78. The shaftextends radially towards the collar 60 and a boss 124 formed thereon.The boss is provided with a bearing socket 126 for the other end of theshaft 120.

The shaft 120 is provided with an angular offset portion 128 on which ispositioned a trunnion sleeve 130. The trunnions 132 and 134 of thetrunnion sleeve are journalled in an arbor ring 136 located intermediateof the ends 138 and 140 of the oscillating shaft 142. The shaft end 138is journalled in an integral bracket 144 extending from the collar 60,and the other shaft end 140 is journalled in a socket 146 formed in theend of the stationary cutter blade 98. The end 140 of the arbor shaft142 has pinned thereto an arm 148 having a forked end 150. An offsetlever 152 is pivoted on a projection 154 on the radial wall 70 by a pin156. The lever has a slot'158 located intermediate its length, intowhich projects a pin 160 integrally secured to the movable cutter blade102. The free end of the lever 152 is provided with a pin 162 whichextends into the forked end 150 of the arm 148.

It will be seen that upon rotation of the shaft 120, the trunnion sleeve130 is caused to gyrate, producing oscillatory motion in the arbor shaft142. The oscillatory motion of the arbor shaft 142. is transmitted bythe arm 148 to the lever 152 which in turn reciprocates the movablecutter blade 102.

In order to cause the cam bearing wheels to have coordinated movement,the bracket 144 is extended and provided with a transverse portion 164having bearing ears 166 and 168 for the coordinating pinion shaft 170.The shaft 170 has rigidly secured to its opposite ends, pinions 172 and174 which mesh with internal teeth 176 and 178 on the rims 28 of thewheels 20 and 22. The internal teeth are discontinued for a few degreeson each of the wheels as is indicated at 180, so as to provide asuitable return stop. The pinion shaft 170 is provided with a light coilspring 182, one end of which is affixed to the shaft as at 184 and theother end of which is affixed to the bearing ear 166 as at 186 toyieldingly urge the wheels to the position shown in Figure 5. The shaftis provided with a self-actuating brake to prevent return rotation inone direction, such brake comprising one or more helical turns of aspring 188, one end of which is keyed as at 190 to the ear 168, and theother end of which is bent at right angles and extends radially as isindicated at 192. The internal diameter of the coils of the spring 188are such as to lightly resiliently grip the shaft 170, when the shaft isrotated in the return direction so as to cause the spring coils tocontract from frictional contact between the internal surfaces of thecoils and the shaft 170. The spring thereby acts as a brake. When theshaft is rotated in the opposite direction, the coils of the spring 188are expanded and the shaft turns freely.

Torelease the grip of the coil spring 188 upon the shaft 170, there isprovided a finger control rod 194 extending to the handle 86, suchfinger control rod having a thumb button 196. The finger control isslidably mounted upon the handle by a pin and slot 198, so as to movelengthwise of the handle. The other end of the finger control rod 194 isattached to an offset member 200 having a pin and slot connection 202 onan extension 204 of the member 144. The offset member has a laterallyextending fork 206 which embraces the radial end 192 of the brake spring188. Movement of the control 192 upwardly as in Figures 3 and 7 unwilsthe spring 188, causing it to release its grip completely upon the shaft170.

The exposed portion of the cutting teeth may be shortened by a curvedslide plate 210, which is held by a headed stud 212 embedded in thecutter plate 98, the slide plate having a slot 214, through which thestud extends, and having a finger grip 216, to facilitate positioning ofthe slide plate.

Operation of the hair cutter will be apparent from the foregoingdescription. When the brake spring 188 is held in released position, thespring 182 normally returns the cam wheels to the position shown inFigure 5, with the pinions 172 and 174 resting against the stops 180 ofthe internal gears. The flexible drive cable is coupled to a motor, andthe flexible suction conduit 77 is connected to a source of vacuum, bothnot shown. In practice, the motor and source of vacuum may be a combinedunit, mounted conveniently on the adjacent wall or elsewhere. Withsuction drawing air through the cutter teeth into the suction inletpassage 62, and the shaft 120 rotating, the arbor 136 is caused tooscillate, swinging the arm 148, and the offset lever 152, whereby themovable cutter blade 102 is caused to rapidly reciprocate, with itsmovable teeth 104 reciprocated relative to the stationary teeth 100.

The low end of the rubber cams 24 and 26, of the wheels 20 and 22 areengaged with the lower part of the neck. Thereafter, the operator,holding the apparatus approximately as shown in Figure 1, rolls theapparatus upwardly along the neck and over the back of the head. The camwheels rotate clockwise (as in Figure l), or counterclockwise as inFigures 3 and 5, to bring successively higher portions of the cam ringinto engagement with the head as travel of the apparatus continuesupward. The spiral shape of the cam rings serves to increasingly spacethe cutting teeth and 104 from the neck or head of the recipient of thehaircuit, whereby to cut a gradually increasing length of hair as theapparatus is caused to travel upward. The peripheral length of the camrings is about ten inches, and when the full travel is used, theapparatus is lifted from the head, the brake spring 188 is released,allowing the wheels to return to the position shown in Figure 5 byaction of the return spring 182. Thereafter successive upward cuts aremade over the entire back of the neck, from one side around to theother.

When cutting close to the ear, it may be desirable to remove one or theother of the cam rings temporarily so that the wheel may travel over theear, graduated cutting being effected by' the rolling of the remainingcam ring upon the neck and head, to the rear of or forward of the ear,the operator holding the apparatus in the same relation as when both camrings are in place, and the apparatus applied to the back of the neck.

It will be appreciated that the suction lifts the hair of the recipientto a position normal to the neck or head so that during the actualcutting, the length of hair remaining will be accurately measured. Atthe same time, the cut ends of hair will be drawn down the suction tube,and collected in any suitable manner at the source of vacuum as, forexample, in the manner shown in Patent No. 1,723,828.

When an increase in suction is desired at the cutting teeth, and it isdesired to shorten the effective length of such teeth, the slide plate210 may he slid upward to partially cover the root ends of the cuttingteeth and also constrict the opening of the passage 62.

The open cam rings 24 and 26 may be made of vulcanized rubber and of aresiliency to readily stretch into place, with the key slot ends hookedupon the pins 36 and 38, the rings thereby being held on the rims of thewheels. Should it be desired to out part way up the back of the neck orback of the head, and temporarily lift the cam wheels from rollingcontact with the recipient, return rotation of the cam wheels isprevented by the self wrapping coils 188 of the brake on shaft 170. Thecutting stroke may thereafter be completed from such point by againcontacting the cam rings with the recipient, and completing the upwardtravel. When the stroke is completed, or at any time it is desired toreturn the wheels to the starting position, release of the brake isefiected by shifting the finger button 196, to expand the coils 188,whereupon the return spring 182 is free to rotate the pinion shaft 170toreturn the cam wheels to the starting position.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedthereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will beapparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to theappended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced Wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cam members, a clippermounted in fixed relation to said shaft having relatively movable cutterblades disposed between said wheels at the approximate peripherythereof, and cam members mounted on the rim of each of said wheels, saidcam members having like spiral outer neck and head contactingperipheries adapted to roll upon the nec' and head upon upward movementof the clipper therealong to gradually increase the spacing of theclipper from the neck and head.

2. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced cam bearing wheelsjournalled on said shaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cammembers, a clipper mounted in fixed relation to said shaft and havingrelatively movable cutter blades disposed between said wheels at theapproximate periphery thereof, means for synchronizing the rotation ofsaid Wheels, and cam members mounted on the rim of each of said wheels,said cam members having like spiral outer neck and head contactingperipheries adapted to roll upon the neck and head upon upward movementof the clipper therealong to gradually increase the spacing of theclipper from the neck and head.

3. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced cam bearing wheelsjournalled on said shaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cammembers, a clipper mounted in fixed relation to said shaft and havingrelatively movable cutter blades disposed between said wheels at theapproximate periphery thereof, means for synchronizing the rotation ofsaid wheels and limiting rotation thereof between limits angularlyspaced less than 360 degrees, and cam members mounted on and extendingaround the rim of each of said wheels, said cam members having likespiral outer neck and head contacting peripheries of graduallyincreasing radius adapted to roll upon the neck and head upon upwardmovement of the clipper therealong to gradually increase the spacing ofthe clipper from the neck and head, said cam members being angularlydisposed on said Wheels in relation to said limits to coordinate thetravel of said cam surfaces in relation to said clipper.

4-. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cam members, a suction inletduct mounted on said shaft between said wheels, and extending radiallytherefrom to the rim of said wheels and adapted to be directed towardthe neck and head, a clipper having relatively movable cutter bladesdisposed across the end of said duct and mounted in fixed relationthereto, and cam members mounted on the rim of each of said wheels, saidcammembers having like spiral outer neck and head contacting peripheriesof gradually increasing radius adapted to roll upon the neck and headupon upward movement of the clipper therealong to gradually increase thespacing of the clipper from the neck and head.

5. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripher'af spiral cam members, a suction inletduct mounted on said shaft between said wheels, and extending radiallytherefrom to the rim of said wheels and adapted to be directed towardthe neck and head, a clipper having relatively movable cutter bladesdisposed across the end of said duct and mounted in fixed relationthereto, means for synchronizing the rotation of said wheels, and cammembers mounted on and extending around the rim of each of said wheels,said cam members having like spiral outer neckand head contactingperipheries of gradually increasing radius adapted to roll upon the neckand head upon upward movement of the clipper therealong to graduallyincrease the spacing of the clipper from the neck and head.

6. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cam members, a suction inletduct mounted on said shaft between said wheels, and extending radiallytherefrom to the rim of said wheels and ing around the rim of each ofsaid wheels, said cam members having like spiral outer neck and headcontacting peripheries of gradually increasing radius adapted to rollmovement of the the spacing clipper from the neck and head.

of said wheels, said cam members having neck and head contactingperipheries of gradually increasing radius adapted to roll upon the neckand head upon upward movement of the clipper therealong to graduallyincrease the spacing of the clipper from the neck and head.

clipper therealong to gradually increase:

and extending around the rim of each like spiral outer 9. A hair clippercomprising a shaft, spaced wheels jou-rnalled on said shaft adapted tosupport peripheral spiral cam members, a suction inlet duct mounted onsaid shaft between said wheels, and extending radially therefrom to therim of said wheels and adapted to be directed toward the neck and head,a clipper having relatively moveable cutter blades disposed across theend of said duct and mounted in fixed relation thereto, means forsynchronizing the rotation of said wheels and limiting rotation thereofbetween limits angularly spaced less than 360 degrees, resilient meansadapted to rotate said wheels toward one of said limits, and cam membersmounted on and extending around the rim of each of said wheels, said cammembers having like spiral outer neck and head contacting peripheries ofgradually increasing radius adapted to roll upon the neck and head uponupward movement of the clipper therealong to gradually increase thespacing of the clipper from the neck and head, said cam members beingangularly disposed on said wheels in relation to said limits tocoordinate the travel of said cam surfaces in relation to said clipper.

10. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cam members, a suction inletduct mounted on said shaft between said wheels, and extending radiallytherefrom to the rim of said wheels and adapted to be directed towardthe neck and head, a clipper having relatively movable cutter bladesdisposed across the end of said duct and mounted in fixed relationthereto, means for synchronizing the rotation of said wheels andlimiting rotation thereof between limits angularly spaced less than 360degrees, resilient means adapted to rotate said wheels toward one ofsaid limits, a releasable brake associated with said synchronizing meansfor preventing rotation of said wheels toward said one of said limits,and cam members mounted on and extending around the rim of each of saidwheels, said cam members having like spiral outer neck and headcontacting peripheries of gradually increasing radius adapted to rollupon the neck and head upon upward movement of the clipper therealong togradually increase the spacing of the clipper from the neck and head,said cam members being angularly disposed on said wheels in relation tosaid limits to coordinate the travel of said cam surfaces in relation tosaid clipper.

11. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cam members, a clippermounted in fixed relation to said shaft having relatively moveablecutter blades disposed between said wheels at the approximate peripherythereof, means for synchronizing the rotation of said wheels andlimiting rotation thereof between limits angularly spaced less than 360degrees, resilient means adapted to rotate said wheels toward one ofsaid limits, and cam members mounted on and extending around the rim ofeach of said wheels, said cam members having like spiral outer neck andhead contacting peripheries of gradually increasing radius adapted toroll upon the neck and head upon upward movement of the clippertherealong to gradually increase the spacing of the clipper from theneck and head.

12. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cam members, a clippermounted in fixed relation to said shaft having relatively moveablecutter blades disposed between said wheels at the approximate peripherythereof, means for synchronizing the rotation of said wheelsand limitingrotation thereof between limits angularly spaced less than 360 degrees,resilient means adapted to rotate said wheels toward one of said limits,a releasable brake associated with said synchronizing means forpreventing rotation of said wheels toward said one of said limits, andcam members mounted on and extending around the rim of each of saidwheels, said cam members having like spiral outer neck and headcontacting peripheries of gradually increasing radius adapted to rollupon the neck and head upon upward movement of the clipper therealong tograduallyincrease the spacing of the clipper from the neck and head.

13. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cam members, a clippermounted in fixed relation to said shaft having relatively moveablecutter blades disposed between said wheels at the approximate peripherythereof, means for synchronizing the rotation of said wheels andlimiting rotation thereof between limits angularly spaced less than 360degrees, resilient means adapted to rotate said wheels toward one ofsaid limits, and cam members mounted on and extending around the rim ofeach of said wheels, said cam members having like spiral outer neck and.head contacting peripheries of gradually increasing radius adapted toroll upon the neck and head upon upward movement of the clippertherealong to gradually increase the spacing of the clipper from theneck and head, said cam members being angularly disposed on said wheelsin relation to said limits to coordinate the travel of said cam surfacesin relation to said clipper.

14. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cam members, a clippermounted in fixed relation to said shaft having relatively moveablecutter blades disposed between said wheels at the approximate peripherythereof, means for synchronizing the rotation of said wheels andlimiting rotation thereof between limits angularly spaced less than 360degrees, resilient means adapted to rotate said wheels toward one ofsaid limits, a releasable brake associated with said synchronizing meansfor preventing rotation of said wheels toward said one of said limits,and cam members mounted on and extending around the rim of each of saidwheels, said cam members having like spiral outer neck and headcontacting peripheries of gradually increasing radius adapted to rollupon the neck and head upon upward movement of the clipper therealong togradually increase the spacing of the clipper from the neck and head,said cam members being angularly disposed on said wheels in relation tosaid limits to coordinate the travel of said earn surfaces in relationto said clipper.

15. A hair clipper comprising a shaft, spaced wheels journalled on saidshaft adapted to support peripheral spiral cam members, a clippermounted in fixed relation to said shaft having relatively moveablecutter blades disposed between said wheels at the approximate peripherythereof, means journalled in respect to said shaft and associated withone of the relatively movable cutter blades to actuate the same, and cammembers mounted on the rim of each of said wheels, said cam membershaving like spiral outer neck and head contacting peripheries adapted toroll upon the neck and head upon upward movement of the clippertherealong to gradually increase the spacing of the clipper from theneck and head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,364,559 Kaufman Jan. 4, 1921 1,446,559 Gray Feb. 27, 1923 1,528,745Lutes Mar. 3, 1925 1,705,552 Bauer Mar. 19, 1929 2,590,684 -Clark Mar.25, 1952

